Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 due to an error in the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's action.

The Veteran's service connection claims for RLE and LLE sciatic radiculopathy, as well as the left knee scar, were granted with effective dates of October 9, 2019. The right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability received their initial effective date on October 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for left foot arthritis and a prior effective date have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support reopening of his service connection claim or assignment of a separate non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not establish entitlement to a combined rating of at least 70% for his service-connected disabilities prior to February 26, 2020.,The DEA claim was also denied due to the denial of the TDIU claim and the effective date assigned for the TDIU.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the Veteran did not have any pending increased rating claims prior to February 6, 2023.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae with scarring is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased evaluation remains denied. The effective date of September 10, 2018 has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 30, 2022, for the grant of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that there is a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities during this period.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the proposed reduction of his rating for radical cysto prostatectomy with scar from 100 percent to 0 percent. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance since September 21, 2022 due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation prior to September 21, 2022 was denied as there is no evidence of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the issues of earlier effective dates for post-operative right submandibular gland excision with facial nerve involvement and associated residual surgical scar of the neck and throat area. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeals for increased PTSD and frostbite to face have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and fibromyalgia, as well as her requests to restore disability ratings for allergic rhinitis and linear scars. The rating reductions for allergic rhinitis and linear scars were found to be improper.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, facial acne with scarring, and onychomycosis were denied originally in a February 2010 rating decision. The effective date of the grants of service connection was assigned as November 28, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for postpartum perineal tear with redundant tissue was also granted on November 28, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right foot amputation and peripheral neuropathy, have resulted in loss of use of his right foot. The Board has determined that he is eligible for financial assistance to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to this condition.

The Veteran's tummy tuck scar is granted service connection, but her GERD and cesarean section are denied. The bilateral tubal ligation surgery resulted in permanent sterilization as the intended result, so she cannot be granted service connection for that procedure. Joint pain (claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness) and seborrheic dermatitis have been remanded.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's multiple superficial, linear scars on his anterior chest due to lack of deep or limited motion, and no evidence of instability. The Veteran's existing 30% rating for painful scars remains in effect.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for alcohol and substance abuse disorder has been withdrawn. The Veteran's claims of increased rating for PTSD have been granted with a 70 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to walk and use his extremities without significant aid.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected chest scar. The earlier effective date claim for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for coronary artery disease is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's disability increased in severity prior to his April 18, 2022 claim. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for scars on the right hand, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the sciatic nerve, and left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the femoral nerve are all denied.